• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.55-68
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• 2009

Objectives : To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi pharmacopuncture in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory rat model. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups; LPS control (n=6), LPS+Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi pharmacopuncture at BL23 (n=6, BL23), LPS+Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi pharmacopuncture at CV12 (n=6, CV12), and LPS+Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi pharmacopuncture at GV4 (n=6, GV4). Pharmacopuncture was given every two days for 4 weeks followed by inflammation induction by intraperitoneal LPS injection (5mg/kg). Blood, liver tissue, and peritoneal lavage fluid were taken and proinflammatory cytokines and other related factors were analysed. Results : For proinflammatory cytokines, CV12 pharmacopuncture group was significantly different compared with the control group in plasma IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$, and IL-10 5 h after LPS injection (P<0.05). For plasma IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6, CV12 pharmacopuncture group also showed significant difference at 2 h compared with the control (P<0.05). GV4 pharmacopuncture group was significantly different compared with the control at 5 h in plasma IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ and at 2 h in IL-10 (P<0.05). Liver cytokines were analyzed at 5 h after LPS injection; only CV12 pharmacopuncture group showed significant difference in IL-$1{\beta}$ (P<0.05) and others including IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$, and IL-10 had no difference compared with the control group. CD4/CD8 ratio and the phagocytic activities of polymorphonuclear neutrophils were not different from those of control group in all pharmacopuncture groups (P>0.05). Plasma NO3-/NO2- and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 of CV12 pharmacopuncture group were significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). In the plasma concentration of prostaglandin E2, all 3 pharmacopuncture groups had significantly lower values than that of the control group (P<0.05), but there was no difference among pharmacopucnture groups. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and cytokine-induced neutorphil chemoattractant-1 in peritoneal lavage fluid was significantly decreased in CV12 pharmacopuncture group compared with the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions : These results indicate that Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi pharmacopuncture at CV12 may have a potent anti-inflammatory effect in an LPS-induced inflammatory rat model.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.249-254
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• 2009

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the fertilization and cleavage rates of human in vitro matured oocytes after fertilized by conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Methods: A total of 135 GV stage oocytes were obtained from 59 women who received ovarian stimulation and IVF during Jan 2007 to Oct 2008. Ovarian hyperstimulation was performed using hMG or recombinant FSH with GnRH antagonist and then ovulation triggered by recombinant hCG. The immature oocytes obtained from stimulation cycles were cultured in IVM medium up to 48 hrs; commercial medium supplemented with rFSH 75 mIU/mL, rhCG 0.5 IU/mL and rEGF 10 ng/mL. The in vitro matured oocytes were fertilized by conventional IVF (41 GV oocytes) or ICSI method (94 GV oocytes). Results: Maturation rate were 51.2% and 59.6% in conventional IVF group and ICSI group, respectively. There was no significant difference in fertilization rates between two groups; 71.4% and 80.4%, respectively. The cleavage rate was also similar in two groups. Conclusion: The presented data suggest that conventional IVF has comparable fertilization and cleavage potential compared with ICSI as the insemination method of immature human oocytes obtained from stimulated cycle.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.57-61
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• 2000

This study was designed to examine therapeutic effect of bee(Apis mellifera L.) venom in calves with bacterial diarrhea. Calves with bacterial diarrhea were administered with bee venom and therapeutic drug, respectively. In the bee venom-treated group, 69 calves were acupunctured once a day for 3 conseutive days. Two local acupoints of Jiao-chao(GV-1, at the indentation between the base of tail and the anus) and Bai-hui(GV -20, in the dorsal midline of the lumbo-sacral space) were stung by the bee. In the therapeutic drug-treated group, 55 claves were intramuscularly injected with a standard dosage of antibiotic (ciprofloxacin, 2.5 mg/kg of body weight) and antidiarrheal drug (berberine cholride, 10mg/head) once a day for 3 consecutive days. At post-treatment, 81.2% of the bee venom-treated calves and 76.4% of the therapeutic drugtreated calves were recovered from bacterial diarrhea. Bee acupuncture therapy showed in calves without side effects such as allergy hemorrhage, or infection. It might be concluded that apitherapy was affective in controlling of calves with bacterial diarrhea.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.301-305
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• 2006

The aim of this study was to investigate whether addition of porcine epididymal fluid (pEF) into culture medium during in vitro maturation influences the nuclear maturation of porcine germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes. Porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from follicles were cultured in tissue culture medium 199 (TCM 199) containing pEF. After 48hr of culture, oocytes were examined for evidence of GV breakdown, metaphase I, anaphase-telophase I, and metaphase II. The proportion of oocytes reaching at metaphase II (M II) stage was significantly (p<0.05) increased in oocytes cultured in the media supplemented with 10% pEF during in vitro maturation than in those without pEF regardless of cumulus presence or absence (54.6% vs 22.5%, 51.7% vs 24.2%). The supplementation of pEF during maturation of oocyte enhanced oocytes maturation in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Also significant differences (p<0.05) in the percentage of MII oocytes were observed according to exposure period in pEF. Present study suggests that pEF contains a enhancing component(s) for nuclear maturation of porcine immature oocytes in vitro.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.226-239
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• 2004

Objective: Purpose of this study was to examine the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) at Xingjian(LR2) as 'Fire(火)' point of The Leg Absolute Um Liver Meridan(足厥陰肝經 : Chok-Kworum-Kan-Kyong) on the facial thermal change. Methods: Subjects of this study were 15 patients with upperpart(includes head and facial part) fever of human body and two examinations were carried out in each other day. We divided cases of two examinations into two groups. One is experimental group(N=15) that was carried out electroacupuncture stimulation at Xingjian(LR2), the other is control group(N=15) which was carried out electroacupuncture stimulation at optional point(in space between 1st and 2nd fingers) except acupuncture points of 12 meridians. We took the temperature of fixed areas on face by digital infrared thermal image(D.I.T.I.) before and after electroacupuncture stimulation. Those fixed areas on face that was taken temperature are Jingming(BL1), Sibai(ST2), Dicang(ST4), Indang, Shuigou(GV26), Chengjiang(CV24) areas. In cases of temperature of Jingming(BL1), Sibai(ST2), Dicang(ST4) areas, we applied each mean of left and right temperature to statical analysis. Results: In the group of electroacupuncture stimulation at Xingjian(LR2), temperature of every fixed areas on face fell: Jingming(BL1) area's ${\Delta}T=-0.7007{\pm}0.78642$, Sibai(ST2) area's ${\Delta}T=-0.6280{\pm}0.56439$, Dicang(ST4) area's ${\Delta}T=-0.5940{\pm}0.60179$, Indang area's ${\Delta}T=-0.7200{\pm}0.64515$, Shuigou(GV26) area's ${\Delta}T=-0.6160{\pm}0.80487$, Chengjiang(CV24) area's ${\Delta}T=-0.5627{\pm}0.72615$. In Xingjian(LR2) electroacupuncture group, each temperature of Jingming(BL1), Sibai(ST2), Indang areas showed a drop significantly in comparison with control group (p<0.05). But each temperature of Dicang(ST4), Shuigou(GV26), Chengjiang(CV24) areas did not showed a drop significantly in comparison with control group(p>0.05). Conclusions: The results mentioned above showed that electroacupuncture stimulation at Xingjian(LR2) significantly decreased the temperature on face of patients with upperpart fever of human body. In Xingjian(LR2) electroacupuncture group, especially temperature of upper part of face includes eye, cheekbone, forehead regions showed a drop significantly in comparison with control group.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.79-95
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• 2009

Background : Eye diseases refer to a wide range of disconveniences from conjunctivitis, pterygium, glaucoma to even blindness. Acupuncture has been widely used in Korea throughout the history and provides an efficient method in the treatment of them. Objectives : Establish a distinctive and efficient acupuncture method for the treatment of eye diseases based in literature research. Method : We reviewed four Korean medical literature, "Guide to Swollen Sore Treatment[治腫指南]", "Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine[東醫寶鑑]", "Experiential Prescriptions of Acupuncture and Moxibustion[鍼灸經驗方]", and "Essential Rhymes on Acupuncture and Moxibustion by Master Saam[舍岩鍼法]", and analyzed the therapeutic characteristics in the treatment of eye diseases. Result : 1. According to "Guide to Swollen Sore Treatment[治腫指南]", various methods were applied in the treatment of eye diseases. We can cite salt water washing method after needling, pricking bloodletting method using three-edged needle, surgery method using bent needle and lance needle, or sore treatment using sliced bean-curd and ground Aristolochiae Fructus among others. Acupuncture points like GV20[百會], BL1[睛明], EX-HN5[太陽], GB20[風池], GV24[神庭], GB1[瞳子髎], and GB15[臨泣] were mostly needled. 2. In "Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine[東醫寶鑑]", pricking bloodletting method were most frequently used in comparison to single acupuncture or moxibustion methods. Applied points were GV20[百會], BL1[睛明], LI4[合谷], EX-HN5[太陽], GB37[光明], BL18[肝兪], GB20[風池], BL2[攢竹], GB1[瞳子髎], and ST36[三里]. Also selections of adjacent points were considered important. 3. In respect to treatment methods "Experiential Prescriptions of Acupuncture and Moxibustion [鍼灸經驗方]" has some similarity to "Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine[東醫寶鑑]" as pricking bloodletting method were mostly used. Also focused on normal Qi flow through meridian. Points like BL18[肝兪], BL1[睛明], LU5[尺澤], EX-HN5[太陽], LI4[合谷] were used. 4. "Essential Rhymes on Acupuncture and Moxibustion by Master Saam[校勘舍岩道人鍼法]" considered visceral pattern identification method fundamental in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases. Specifically, Liver, Heart, Stomach, Lung, Kidney identification methods are presented. Combined both corresponding and connecting meridians supplementation and draining methods according to mother-child relation. Also Saam master's own experiential prescriptions are noted. Conclusions : After previous study on stroke, we could also find various efficient methods according to eye diseases, through literature research of korean medical classics. This study will concurrently result in establishing distinctive therapeutic method characteristic of Korea.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.177-183
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• 2023

Objectives : One of the crucial combinations of acupoints for treating various disorders involves the Eight Confluent acupoints. The present study aims to investigate the selection patterns of the Eight Confluent acupoints in clinical trials and determine the most frequent pairings through network analysis. Methods : The frequencies of the Eight Confluent acupoints were extracted from the Acusynth database, which includes data from 421 clinical investigations. We examined the degree distribution, eigenvector centrality, proximity centrality, and betweenness centrality of these acupoint combinations using network analysis. Results : Data mining revealed that among the Eight Confluent acupoints, PC6 and TE5 were the most commonly applied in the treatment of 30 disorders. Additionally, we identified the most frequently co-occurring pairs of Eight Confluent acupoints by network analysis which included PC6-GV20, SP4-GV4, LU7-LI4, TE5-PC7, GB41-SP6, KI6-BL62, and SI3-BL62. Conclusions : Through the application of data mining and network analysis, we have elucidated the selection patterns and combinations of the Eight Confluent acupoints. These findings provide valuable insights that can enhance doctors' understanding of clinical database-driven Eight Confluent acupoint selection patterns.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.201-211
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to comprehensively review Korean domestic studies and investigate the research trends of pharmacopuncture therapy on cervical pain caused by traffic accidents. Methods: Domestic studies between February 1999 and May 2020 from four Korean databases were searched with combinations of keywords 'cervical pain', 'traffic accident', 'whiplash injury', and 'pharmacopuncture'. Results: 17 studies were selected for review, including 7 randomized controlled trials, 5 retrospective observational studies, 3 case reports, and 2 non-randomized controlled trials. Each study was reviewed by published year, study type, types of pharmacopuncture solutions, selected acupuncture points, dosage of pharmacopuncture solutions, frequency of treatment, concurrent treatments, outcome measurements, and the effectiveness of pharmacopuncture therapy. The results are as follows: (1) It showed that the total number of published studies had increased slightly in the last 10 years compared to the previous decade. (2) The pharmacopuncture solutions used in the studies were in the following order: Bee-Venom (蜂毒), Jungsongouhyul (中性瘀血), Hwangryunhaedoktang (黃連解毒湯) and Soyeom (消炎). Frequently used acupuncture points were GB20, GV21, A-shi point, GV16, EX-B2, and SI15 in order. (3) The most commonly used total injection dosage was 1.0 cc at a time, and the frequency of treatment was twice a week. (4) Concurrent treatments such as acupuncture, herbal medication, physical therapy and Chuna manual therapy were performed in all 17 studies. (5) Pharmacopuncture therapy showed positive effects on cervical pain caused by traffic accidents in all 17 studies reviewed. Conclusion: Pharmacopuncture therapy was effective in cervical pain caused by traffic accidents in all 17 studies selected. Further studies will be needed using more larger scales and more objective data to confirm the effectiveness of pharmacopuncture therapy and to generalize its application.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.87-101
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• 2023

Objectives: Many acupuncture points have been suggested for the treatment of Bell's palsy, but information on which acupuncture points are more important in treatment is not provided. This study was conducted to investigate the importance of acupuncture points currently used clinically in Bell's palsy. Methods: By reviewing the full text of 11 books that recorded acupuncture prescriptions from the Qin Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, the frequency of use of acupuncture points, their meridians, and their location were investigated. Results: The average number of acupuncture points used for local, adjacent and distal points selection was 10.5, 2, 4 respectively. The number of acupuncture points increased from the Qin Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty 《Bojaebang》 and then decreased, but the proportion of local points has been still high. From the Ming Dynasty, ST4, ST6, GV26, and GV24 were mainly have been used as the local points. Except for the GB12, the use of the rest of the acupuncture points gradually decreased in the adjacent points. In the distal acupuncture points, it was summarized to point of lung and large intestine channel until the Ming Dynasty, and LI4 was mainly used in the Qing Dynasty. Yangming meridian has been most often used at the local and distal area except for the adjacent area. Conclusions: In the treatment of facial paralysis, the lower part of the face had the highest proportion among local acupuncture points, and the Yangming had the highest proportion by meridian.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 한국수정란이식학회 2002년도 국제심포지엄
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• pp.113-113
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• 2002

The stimulatory effect of EGF and FSH on oocyte maturation have been reported in various mammalian species. And some reports presented FSH enhanced the effect of EGF on oocyte maturation. But, the interaction between EGF and FSH on nuclear maturation of mammalian oocytes is not fully understood. We observed the effect of EGF and FSH on nuclear maturation during in vitro maturation of mouse oocytes. Also, we examined the interaction between EGF and FSH on nuclear maturation of mouse oocytes using the EGFR inhibitor or FSH inhibitor. Germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes were obtained from 3-4weeks PMSG primed BCFI hybrid mice and cultured in TCM-199 medium with 0.4%PVP supplemented with/without EGF (1ng/ml), FSH (1ug/ml), EGFR specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors: Tyrphostin AG 1478 (500nM), MAP kinase kinase inhibitor : U0126 (20uM) or PD 98059 (100uM) for 14-l5hr. Rapid staining method were used for the assessment of nuclear maturation. Nuclear maturation rates of EGF indjor FSH-treated group were significantly higher than those of control group. Treatment of EGFR inhibitor significantly block the nuclear maturation of GV oocyte in EGF-treated group, but it did not block those of GV oocyte in FSH-treated or FSH and EGF-treated group. Treatment of FSH inhibitor(U0126, PD98059) significantly block the nuclear maturation of EGF-treated group, FSH-treated and FSH and EGF-treated group. These results show that EGF has a stimulatory effect as well as different action pathway with FSH on in-vitro maturation of mouse oocyte in vitro. Therefore, further studies will be needed to find the signaling pathway of EGF associated with nuclear maturation.